Hack takes the Boys Division by one stroke Durnan claims first AJGA win

JACKSON, Miss. — Jhared Hack, 15, of Heathrow, Fla., sank a clutch putt for birdie on the 18th hole in the final round of the Nike Golf Junior at Colonial presented by Mississippi Farm Bureau to win the Boys Division at 6-under-par 210. Kate Durnan, 15, of Mendham, N.J., won the Girls Division by one stroke, carding a three-day tournament total of 3-over-par 219.

The Nike Golf Junior at Colonial presented by Mississippi Farm Bureau is a 54-hole tournament conducted by the American Junior Golf Association at Colonial Country Club on the Jackson Course. The 84-player field boasts juniors from 22 states and Canada. The Nike Golf Junior All-Star series allows players ages 12-15 to develop their skills and earn entry into other AJGA tournaments.

Hack, who was part of a three-way tie at 138 going into Thursday's final round, pulled ahead of the pack by putting up a solid even-par 72 for the final round, including three birdies on the back nine. This is Hack's first AJGA win.

“It feels awesome to win,” Hack said. “The way I played the last two days, and to come out today and get it done, is awesome.”

One stroke behind Hack and winner of the low final round was Will Kropp, 15, of Edmond, Okla., who hit 14 of 14 fairways and carded five birdies for a 5-under-par 67 to close out the tournament at 5-under-par 211.

Claiming third place for the tournament was Sam Braver, of Roswell Ga., who after entering the final round in a three-way tie for first, closed with a final round 74 to end the tournament with a 212. Jordan McLaurin, of Ironton, Mo., who also shared first place going into the final round, closed at 3-under-par 213 for fourth. Rounding out the top five was Jason Millard of Murfreesboro, Tenn., after shooting a 68 in the final round, to end the tournament at 2-under-par 214.

Durnan continued to stay on top of the Girls Division throughout Thursday's final round, carding a 3-over-par 75 to finish the tournament at 219 to take home her first AJGA win.

“I was making a lot of up and downs,” Durnan said. “It feels good to win, I will be playing in more AJGA events during the summer.”

Whitney Wenglasz, of Oldsmar, Fla., came in one stroke behind Durnan after shooting a 74 for Thursday's final round. Wenglasz took second at 4-over-par 220. Rounding out the top three was Allie White. White, who was the Girls Division leader after Tuesday's first round, ended the tournament at 10-over-par 226.

Sarah Beth Davis, of Victoria, Texas, fired a 1-uner-par 71 to take home the low final round in the Girls Division.

The AJGA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the overall growth and development of young men and women who aspire to earn college golf scholarships through competitive junior golf. The largest association of its kind, the AJGA has a junior membership (boys and girls ages 12-18) of approximately 5,000 junior golfers from 50 states and 30 foreign countries.

Titleist, the AJGA's National Sponsor, has been the catalyst and driving force behind the Association's success since 1989. Rolex Watch USA, a supporter of the AJGA since 1983, became the inaugural AJGA premier partner in 2004.

AJGA alumni have risen to the top of amateur, collegiate and professional golf. More than 160 former AJGA juniors currently play on the PGA and LPGA Tours and have compiled more than 300 wins. AJGA alumni include Phil Mickelson, Tiger Woods, Davis Love III, Mike Weir, Charles Howell III, Jim Furyk, Dottie Pepper, Grace Park, Cristie Kerr and Beth Bauer.

For more information about the Nike Golf Junior presented by Mississippi Farm Bureau or other AJGA events, please contact AJGA headquarters at (770) 868-4200.

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Mission Statement

The American Junior Golf Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the overall growth and development of young men and women who aspire to earn college golf scholarships through competitive junior golf.